Published: May 01, 2008 11:49 am         

Get ready for the Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby. It's always been one of the highlights of my life when it comes to horse racing.

Somehow I've always been at home on Derby day, not by purpose, but that just seems to be the way it works out. I'm usually out in the yard doing work and all of a sudden I head towards the television set because I know it's about time. It's like I've got this innate sense inside that says, 'hey fool, you'd better get inside or you're going to miss it.'

I always say it doesn't matter if I don't see it and when I get myself situated in front of the television and they begin the post parade, I'm very calm. I don't have a favorite even though I've read about all the horses.

This year it's unbeaten Big Brown who's the 3-2 Derby favorite in the 20-horse field, along with the filly Eight Belles. But what do I know. I only know when they play My Old Kentucky Home, I'm singing along with the song. Then they line up in the gate and when it's released and those horses surge out of there, I'm like a possessed woman. I'm yelling, I'm jumping, I'm a total idiot. I have no idea what comes over me.

Maybe I've been hypnotized and when the gate opens I go into a wild woman mode. Whatever, I really enjoy the Derby and later the Belmont and the Preakness. Especially if there's a chance for a triple crown winner.

Anyhow, Kurt Becker, our area resident genius on horse racing, sent me a few notes to pass on to you folks about several horses in the field.

Becker, an Altamont native, has been tabbed to call races at Belmont Park this week while longtime Belmont announcer Tom Durkin heads to Churchill Downs to call the Derby for NBC. Belmont Park is located on the west end of Long Island, approximately 15 miles east of New York City.

Kurt left me a message on my answering machine Thursday that he was flying into New York and if I heard on the news there were a lot of New Yorkers mad and cursing at someone, it was probably going to be him. He said it was his first visit to New York and he was going to attempt to drive to Belmont Park and he figured there would be a lot of cursing at him since he wouldn't have a clue what he was doing. I hope he's okay! Anyhow here are the notes he left me to pass on to you.

Proud Spell, a three-year-old filly, ranks among the favorites for Friday's $500,000 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. She has won four of seven lifetime starts with earnings of $900,000. The filly is trained by Larry Jones of Henderson, Ky. whose assistant is Altamont native Wayne Higgs.

Eight Belles, a three-year-old filly, will be double-entered for both Friday's Kentucky Oaks and Saturday's $2 million Kentucky Derby, but she'll be scratched from the Oaks to run against the boys. She is four-for-four in 2008 and will try to become just the fourth filly in the 134-year history of the Derby to capture the roses. The filly is trained by Jones, with Higgs once again the assistant trainer.

Jones and Higgs trained Hard Spun to a runnerup finish in last year's Derby. Live television coverage of Friday's Oaks will be provided by ESPN with post time set for 4:45 p.m. The Derby will be telecast live on NBC Saturday with posttime slated for 5:04 p.m.

So, get in front of your television sets Friday and Saturday and see how you act. I bet it's along the lines of my insanity!

Richard Noffke, a 1977 graduate of Stewardson-Strasburg High School, has been an assistant baseball coach at New Athens of the Cahokia Conference for several years. He was an assistant at Altamont from 1987 to 1992.

Noffke recently took over as varsity baseball coach at New Athens High School. He had been the top assistant of former Cardinals pitcher Danny Cox, who abruptly resigned his varsity position recently.

North Clay High School will be hosting its 5th annual Alumni Game Friday. All former alumni are welcome to participate in the baseball game held after the NCHS varsity contest vs. St. Elmo. For more information, contact Coach Rich Grubaugh at NCHS at 618-665-3102.

Olney Central College baseball coach Dennis Conley was recently honored before a baseball game against McKendree College. After 28 years in the dugout, Conley was honored with a ceremony announcing the baseball field at OCC will be renamed Dennis Conley Field.

Conley has guided OCC to 24 consecutive winning seasons, 22 seasons of 30 or more wins and three Great Rivers Athletic Conference championships in the last six years. He's had 996 career victories.

Teutopolis Junior High School band is selling tickets for the St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets baseball game July 2. The tickets cost $14 each (almost half off the regular price of $27).

Tickets are on sale at the Teutopolis Junior High School through the end of May. The junior high band will be playing the National Anthem at home plate at Busch Stadium to start the game. Contact the junior high school for tickets and information.

Millie Lange can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 123 or millie.lange@effinghamdailynews.com.